Photo Gallery for Supercentenarians born in the 1860s,
as of December 21, 2019.
Mary Bittlebrun, 112
August 31, 2015; Mary Bittlebrun was born in Bloomington, Illinois, United States on March 19, 1864 and died in Arkansas, United States on August 6, 1976 at the age of 112 years, 140 days. On May 18, 1974, she became the oldest living person in the United States, following the death of Clarida Roy.
Born as Mary Cully, she moved to Flint, Nebraska with her family in 1876. After completing her education, she worked as a teacher until 1902. She then moved to Ipswich, South Dakota, and filed a homestead claim on 160 acres of ranch land. She married Peter Bittlebrun in 1906 and the couple went into the cattle business. Their marriage produced one child, Alice, who died of pneumonia at the age of just 17. They moved to Mena, Arkansas, in 1919. After the death of her husband in 1954, Bittlebrun moved to Dallas, Texas to live with a niece. She returned to Mena, Arkansas a few years later and moved into a rest home. She never used tobacco or drank alcohol.
Bittlebrun received a telegram from President Johnson on her 100th birthday. At the age of 102, she was mentally alert and physically active. At the age of 103, Bittlebrun remained exceptionally physically active and her power of recall was described as vivid. She spent much of her time watching television, making quilts or reading, and could read without glasses. In 1970, aged 106, she was awarded first prize for her crochet work at the Polk County Fair. By the age of 109, Bittlebrun was deaf in her right ear, but still did needlework and read books. On her 110th birthday, she remained in good health. At the age of 111, she was described as being in "good health and spirits for a woman of her age" but slept for most of the day. At the age of 112, she still did embroidery.
When asked for the secret to her longevity, she said "It's just the Lord's will. I've had worries but I don't worry too long."
Katharina Braun, 111
On her 107th birthday:
Undated photo:
The first photo was sourced from picture-alliance.com.
August 31, 2015; Katharina Braun was born in Bavaria, Germany on September 23, 1867 and died in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany on February 5, 1979 at the age of 111 years, 135 days. On January 25, 1978, she passed the final age of Ella Ille Rentel and became the oldest German woman ever. On April 19, 1978, she passed the final age of Friedrich Wedeking and became the oldest German person ever. On April 25, 1978, she became the oldest living person in Europe, following the death of Marie-Virginie Duhem. Braun was the last German living in Germany born before the foundation of the German Empire in 1871. She was autopsied following her death in 1979. Her German longevity record was broken by Adelheid Kirschbaum in 1995.
Frederick Butterfield, 110
Aged 108:
June 9, 2015; Frederick Butterfield was born in Thirsk, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom on February 28, 1864 and died in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom on March 9, 1974 at the age of 110 years, 9 days. On May 5, 1973 he became the oldest verified living man in the world, following the death of Friedrich Wedeking. He became the oldest person in the United Kingdom on October 31, 1973, following the death of Elizabeth Watkins.
Butterfield qualified as a chemist in 1885 after five years of training. He married Elizabeth Robinson in 1891 and had three children, one of whom died in infancy. His wife died in 1922 at the age of 56. He retired from pharmacy at the age of 99, but continued to own a pharmacy until 1970, when his son died. An electroencephalogram was performed on Butterfield before his death. The doctors concluded that his brain activity was comparable to a healthy person in their early 70s.
Mary Ann Cragie, 110
July 28, 2009; Mary Ann Cragie was born in Stoven, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom on October 12, 1862 and died in Blythburgh, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom on December 17, 1972 at age 110 years, 66 days.
Sophia DeMuth, 111
June 9, 2015; Sophia DeMuth was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, United States on June 30, 1866 and died in Nebraska, United States on December 2, 1977 at age 111 years, 155 days. She became the oldest person in the United States on August 6, 1976, following the death of Mary Bittlebrun. On November 16, 1976, she became the oldest living person in the world, following the death of Niwa Kawamoto.
DeMuth claimed to have known the notorious gangster Jesse James when she was a child. After moving to California, she married Oliver DeMuth in 1899 and had four children. The couple lived in South Dakota and Illinois before settling in Ayr, Nebraska. After her husband died in 1965 at the age of 101, Sophia moved in with her daughter. By the age of 107, her eyesight had started to fail but she was alert and remained interested in the news of the day. She was still able to make rugs at the age of 110.
Marie-Virginie Duhem, 111
Photo sourced from http://www.journaux-collection.com
October 20, 2016; Marie-Virginie Duhem was born in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France on August 2, 1866 and died in the same region on April 25, 1978 at the age of 111 years, 266 days. She became the oldest living person in France on September 4, 1975, following the death of Marie-Ernestine Compain. On June 14, 1976, she surpassed the final age of Marie-Ernestine Compain and became the oldest French person ever. On August 2, 1976, she became the first French supercentenarian and was awarded the Légion d'honneur. On December 2, 1977, she became the world's oldest person, following the death of Sophia DeMuth. Her French longevity record was surpassed by Augustine Tessier in 1980.
Alice Foote, 111
August 31, 2015; Alice Foote was born in Connecticut, United States on September 21, 1868 and died in the same state on June 14, 1980 at the age of 111 years, 267 days.
Rose Heeley, 111
Aged 100:
Aged 111:
Photos sourced from Birmingham Daily Post.
August 31, 2015; Rose Heeley was born in Birmingham, England, United Kingdom on August 25, 1864 and died in Droitwich, United Kingdom on December 24, 1975 at the age of 111 years, 121 days. She was the oldest verified living person in the United Kingdom at the time of her death.
At the age of 100, Heeley was described as "very fit for her age, and often walked in the garden without the aid of sticks."
Harriet Jordan, 111
Harriet Jordan was born as Harriet Jenietta Moats on a farm in Clayton County, Iowa, to parents David and Lydia Ann Moats on Feb. 10, 1862. She had 13 siblings, and she was the 11th oldest child. She was taught music in school and used to sing in church services. In addition, she gave music lessons to others. Her primary occupation, however, was in the millinery business. Harriet Jordan was thrice married. To Peter McKellar on October 19, 1898; Joseph Butler on September 27, 1904, and Samuel Jordan of Galena, Illinois, in 1925. In 1968, she fell down and broke her hip, but managed to recover after an operation.
Jordan died in Dubuque, Iowa on 19 May 1973, at the age of 111 years, 98 days. Her case was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 8 April 2015.
Niwa Kawamoto, 113
June 9, 2015; Niwa Kawamoto was born in Japan on August 5, 1863 and died in Shiga, Japan on November 16, 1976 at the age of 113 years, 103 days. She became the oldest living person in Japan and the world on May 31, 1975, following the death of Mito Umeta. On October 10, 1975, Kawamoto surpassed the final age of Mito Umeta and became the oldest Japanese person ever. On August 5, 1976, she became the first Japanese person to reach the age of 113. At the time of her death, she was the third oldest verified person ever. Kawamoto held the Japanese longevity record for over 15 years until it was broken by Waka Shirahama in 1991. Nearly 40 years after her death, she remains the oldest person ever from Shiga prefecture.
Sarah Morgan, 111
Photo sourced from Ancestry.
December 21, 2019; Sarah Morgan was born in Manchester, England, United Kingdom on January 23, 1867 and died in Tonbridge, England, United Kingdom on February 12, 1978 at the age of 111 years, 20 days. She became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom on December 14, 1976, following the death of James Harrow.
Charlie Nelson, 110
Aged 99:
Cleaning a plugged drain at the age of 107:
February 17, 2016; Charlie Nelson was born in Canton, Ohio, United States on September 21, 1867 and died in Iowa, United States on August 20, 1978 at the age of 110 years, 333 days. On March 17, 1977, he became the oldest living man in the world, following the death of Jean Teillet. Nearly 40 years after his death, he remains the oldest man ever from Iowa.
Born in Ohio, Nelson moved to Guthrie Center, Iowa, in 1872. Over the course of his life, Nelson enjoyed a number of occupations including teaching, owning a drug store, selling insurance and repairing watches. He married and had one son. At the age of 80, Nelson was elected as the mayor of Guthrie Center. He held this position for eight years. Nelson remained very active into old age, continuing to drive a car until the age of 99. In his 90s, he boarded a jet plane and headed for a vacation in Miami with his son. This was his first plane ride, and he decided there was no other way to travel. Nelson attributed his longevity to his "love of people, for life, and keeping interested in world activities, as well as continuing to work."
Frederique Noel, 110
Aged 110:
Frederique Noel was born in France on June 19, 1868 and died on April 14, 1979 at the age of 110 years, 299 days. On April 25, 1978, she became the oldest living person in France, following the death of Marie-Virginie Duhem. On February 5, 1979, she became the oldest verified living person in Europe, following the death of Katharina Braun.
Florence Pannell, 111
Aged 102:
Aged 108:
Photos sourced from Kensington Post and Thames Television.
March 26, 2019; Florence Pannell was born in Kensington, London, United Kingdom on December 26, 1868 and died in the same place on October 20, 1980 at the age of 111 years, 299 days. On February 12, 1979 she became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom, following the death of Lilias Williams.
As an adult, she set up a beauty care business and worked for many years in Paris and London.
Vincenza Pannuti-Cammera, 110
June 9, 2015; Vincenza Pannuti-Cammera was born in Bagaladi, Calabria, Italy on September 16, 1860 and died in the same place on June 23, 1971 at age 110 years, 280 days. At the age of 108, she was reported as being in "good health" and with "a perfect lucidity of mind." Pannuti-Cammera became the oldest person in Italy on May 16, 1970, following the death of Giuseppina Misasi. On August 2, 1970, she passed the final age of Francesco Soldati Gabbini and became the oldest Italian person ever. On September 16, 1970, she celebrated her 110th birthday and became the first known Italian supercentenarian. Her Italian longevity record was broken by Lida Bertonati-Guerrieri in 1978.
Jane Piercy, 111
Photo courtesy of Australian Women's Weekly.
October 9, 2016; Jane Piercy was born in Bermagui, New South Wales, Australia on September 2, 1869 and died in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on May 3, 1981 at the age of 111 years, 243 days. On October 12, 1979, she passed the final age of Ada Sharp and became the oldest Australian person ever. Her Australian national longevity record was broken by Caroline Mockridge in 1986 but she remained the oldest person ever from New South Wales until 2000.
Piercy claimed her secret to longevity was "good nourishing food, fresh air and dancing." She was her last dance contest in 1939 at the age of 70.
Clarida Roy, 110
Aged 102:
Aged 107:
June 9, 2015; Clarida Roy was born in Quebec, Canada on October 19, 1863 and died in Maine, United States on May 18, 1974 at the age of 110 years, 211 days. She was the oldest verified living person in the United States at the time of her death.
She married Pierre Roy and the couple went on to have 12 children. Her husband died in 1946 at the age of 85. At the age of 101, Roy suffered a fall at home and fractured her hip. She successfully underwent surgery and made a recovery. At the age of 102, her mind was still very sharp and she was confident that she would be alive the following year. Roy was passionionate about food, avoided smoking and was sociable. She was a fan of baseball and used to watch the World Series on television. Her secret to longevity was to "mind my own business" and "take one day at a time and make the most of it."
Aged 112:
Photo sourced from Amanecer - Diario Aragones Del Movimento.
March 5, 2017; Josefa Salas Mateo was born in Prado del Rey, Andalusia, Spain on July 14, 1860 and died in Tarifa, Andalusia, Spain on February 27, 1973 at the age of 112 years, 228 days. On January 11, 1970, she became the oldest living person in the world, following the death of Ada Rowe. On July 14, 1970, she became the first verified Spanish supercentenarian. Her Spanish national longevity record was broken by Maria Antonia Castro in 1994.
Aged 102:
Photo sourced from The Canberra Times.
December 29, 2018; Ada Sharp was validated by Guinness as born in Victoria, Australia on April 6, 1861 and died in South Australia, Australia on May 15, 1971 at the age of 110 years, 39 days.
On the right, aged 85:
March 6, 2017; Hattie Stone was born in California, United States on August 17, 1867 and died in the same state on January 13, 1980 at the age of 112 years, 149 days.
Jean Teillet, 110
August 31, 2015; Jean Teillet was born in Sainte-Hermine, Vendee, France on November 6, 1866 and died in Ile-de-France, France on on March 17, 1977 at the age of 110 years, 131 days. On March 9, 1974, he became the oldest verified living man in the world, following the death of Frederick Butterfield. On November 6, 1976, he became the first verified French male supercentenarian. His French male longevity record was broken by Henri Perignon in 1990.
Teillet did military service in 1886 but was adjourned in 1887 due to his small size (he stood only 4ft 11in tall) and placed on auxiliary service. He moved to Paris in 1890 and began a long career as a barber. In 1908 he married Berthe Hauguel who was 20 years his junior. In 1912 the couple were forced to move following the destruction of a bridge near their residence. A few years after celebrating his centenary, Teillet and his wife moved into a nursing home. His wife died in 1974 at the age of 87.
September 1, 2002; Mr. Bart Versieck of Belgium sent us this picture of
Sister Augustine Tessier by way of Mr. Robert Young of Atlanta, GA, who explained that she was also known as "Sister Julia," born January 2, 1869 and died in Languedoc-Roussillon, France on March 8, 1981 at the age of 112 years, 65 days. She held the French longevity record until passed by Eugénie Roux in 1986 (112 years, 147 days). Also of note, she was the world's oldest person from January 1981 to March 1981. Tessier is believed to be the oldest nun ever recorded.
Fannie Thomas, 113
In her youth:
On her 100th birthday:
Undated photo:
In her final years:
August 31, 2015; Fannie Thomas was born in Columbus, Illinois, United States on April 14, 1867 and died in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 22, 1981 at the age of 113 years, 283 days. On December 2, 1977, she became the oldest verified living person in the United States, following the death of Sophia DeMuth. On April 25, 1978, she became the oldest verified person in the world, following the death of Marie-Virgine Duhem. On November 15, 1980, she passed the final age of Delina Filkins and became the oldest verified person ever. Her longevity world record was broken by Mathew Beard in 1984.
Thomas was a successful entrepreneur who never married. As an adult, she moved to Iowa and learned to make "fancy" hats. In 1900, she owned a millinery store in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in about 1918 and owned another millinery store in addition to running a fruit ranch. In the 1920s, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she dabbled in the real estate business and lived with a sister. Thomas continued to work until she was forced to retire at the age of 98 after breaking her hip. She then moved into a retirement centre.
Thomas was not impressed with being the oldest living American; "What's the big deal?", she would normally say. She claimed the secrets to her longevity were eating apple sauce three times a day and having no husband to bother her. She had two centenarian sisters and was a former suffragette.
Janetta Thomas, 112
August 31, 2015; Janetta Thomas was born in Llantrisant, Wales, United Kingdom on December 2, 1869 and died in Cowbridge, Wales, United Kingdom on January 5, 1982 at the age of 112 years, 34 days. On October 20, 1980, she became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom, following the death of Florence Pannell. On March 8, 1981 she became the oldest living person in Europe, following the death of Augustine Tessier.
Mito Umeta, 112
Aged 108:
Aged 109:
Aged 111:
August 31, 2015; Mito Umeta was born in Japan on March 27, 1863 and died in Kumamoto, Japan on May 31, 1975 at the age of 112 years, 65 days. On March 27, 1973, she became the first verified Japanese female supercentenarian. On July 21, 1973, she passed the final age of Yoshigiku Ito and became the oldest verified Japanese person ever. On October 31, 1973, she became the oldest verified living person in the world, following the death of Elizabeth Watkins. Her Japanese longevity record was broken by Niwa Kawamoto in 1975.
Emma Van Der Karr, 112
97th birthday:
100th birthday:
August 31, 2015; Emma Van Der Karr was born in New York, United States on November 29, 1869 and died in Virginia, United States on December 5, 1981 at the age of 112 years, 6 days.
Born as Emma Riley in Chermung, New York, she moved to Barton, Virginia with her family as a small child. She married George Van Der Karr around 1889 and had five children. Van Der Karr remained in Barton until 1958 when she moved to Waverly to live with her son. Following his death, she lived independently until breaking her shoulder at the age of 96, after which she moved in with a grandson. At the age of 100, her general health was fairly good and she remained lucid, but failing eyesight and loss of hearing made communication difficult.
Friedrich Wedeking, 110
On his 110th birthday:
Undated photo:
The first photo was sourced from picture-alliance.com.
December 13, 2015; Friedrich Wedeking was born in Blomberg, Lippe, Prussia (now Germany) on October 10, 1862 and died on in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany on May 5, 1973 at the age of 110 years, 207 days. On October 10, 1972, he became the first known German supercentenarian. At the time of his death, he was the oldest verified living man in the world. His German longevity record was broken by Katharina Braun in 1978. He retained the German male longevity record until it was broken by Hermann Dornemann in 2003. He remains the oldest person ever from Lippe and the second oldest German man ever.
Wedeking was a founder member of the gliders club, which was created in 1931 and is still active in Blomberg today.
Here ends the Photo Gallery for Supercentenarians born in the 1860s. Click on a link below to view our Photo Gallery for Supercentenarians born in another year.